The Causes Of Bradypnosis And Available Treatments

Bradypné is a medical term used to refer to a breathing rate that is lower than normal . Breathing is the process by which the lungs exchange gas. The body releases carbon dioxide to the outside world and absorbs oxygen by breathing.

Oxygen is important for the cells to be able to perform their functions. More carbon dioxide accumulates and the amount of oxygen is reduced when there is less breathing than usual. This can lead to complex consequences.

Bradypné has several causes, and not all of them are malignant. However, it can be a serious indication in certain situations.

We explain everything you need to know about it in this article.

What is bradypnosis?

The word “bradypné” comes from the Greek. Brady means “sluggishness” and pnein means “breathing”. Thus, this medical term is used to refer to a respiratory rate that is lower than normal.

We determine the normality according to the age and activity level of each person. In an adult, it is normal to breathe between 12 and 20 times a minute. However, bradypnea is present when the frequency drops below 12.

In addition, the condition is usually considered when it is maintained for more than two minutes. The problem is that this term tends to be confused with others, such as apnea or dyspnea.

Dyspnoea refers to difficulty breathing or the feeling of lack of air. Similarly, apnea is a temporary cessation of breathing. Furthermore, both bradypnea and apnea occur in some people during sleep.

The opposite of bradypnea is tachypnea. Breathing speed is faster than normal in this case and it can lead to problems. A person has a tachypé when they breathe more than 25 times a minute.

As one article states, alcohol poisoning is one of the most common causes of slow breathing. However, there may be many others, which we will explain in the following section.

What are the causes of bradypnosis?

Bradypne is not a disease as such, but a symptom that can appear in many situations. As we have pointed out in the previous section, alcohol poisoning is one of the main causes.

This is because alcohol acts on the breathing center and inhibits it. This action slows your breathing. However, it is not the only drug that can lead to this problem. Many other drugs, such as opioids, are also related to it.

In fact, the combination of benzodiazepines and alcohol is one of the major risk factors for respiratory depression. Benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety drugs, and many people use them.

Other drugs associated with bradypnosis

Bradypnosis can occur as a result of several drugs. Another of the most important toxins is carbon monoxide.

People use it relatively often to commit suicide. It is a gas that can cause death when inhaled in high concentrations because it causes a reduction in the airways and poisoning.

Some medications used to perform surgical procedures may also reduce breathing. Muscle relaxants (which are often benzodiazepines), anesthetics or painkillers (opioid derivatives) for example. It is therefore important to follow up afterwards.

Encephalic problems

Breathing is a complex process that is coordinated by different parts of the brain. The brain consciously determines breathing. However, there are also respiratory centers in the brainstem.

These centers allow breathing under certain conditions where the brain is disturbed. For example, when there is a tumor or a traumatic injury. However, they trigger slow breathing if they take control of the action.

Electrolyte and hormonal imbalances

As we explained above, many factors affect the frequency and depth of breathing. Another reason why bradypnea can occur is the imbalance in certain electrolytes, such as potassium or calcium.

It also appears in certain metabolic diseases, such as hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormones are responsible for regulating energy consumption and body temperature, among other processes. Respiratory rates may decrease when lower than normal.

The risk factors for suffering from bradypnosis

An article published in EcuRed explains a number of factors that increase the risk of suffering from bradypnosis. Some of them are in old age, smoking or heart disease. The same thing happens when a person goes into shock.

It has also been linked to low body temperature (hypothermia) and to people who exercise regularly intensely. It is not necessarily serious in the latter case.

Symptoms and complications of bradypnosis

Bradypnosis can alter the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body. Most of the symptoms that appear are due to lack of oxygen. Fatigue, weakness, confusion or lightheadedness are common.

In addition, people often feel dizzy or have an impending feeling of fainting. Headaches and chest pains are other common signs, as are poor coordination and memory problems.

Decreased oxygen in the blood can lead to complications – this is called hypoxemia. As an article by Bell Marra Health explains, bradypnosis increases the number of fainting spells and heart problems.

In fact, organs and tissues can suffer serious damage. It causes cardiac arrest and even death in the most severe cases. Other complications are respiratory acidosis and hypercapnia (high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood).

Available treatments

Bradypnosis does not require treatment in all cases. As we mentioned above, it often appears in a benign form – either in people who were used to intense physical activity or during sleep.

It is therefore necessary to discriminate in which cases this sign indicates seriousness. It depends on the cause and the patient’s state of health.

For example, a medical approach is usually necessary when bradypnea is due to a heart problem. The idea is to manage the oxygen the body needs. There are various forms of artificial ventilation for this purpose.

Furthermore, supportive care is usually needed if the cause of bradypnosis is a toxic substance. In some cases, they will use antidote to the drug that has caused the condition. This is the case with benzodiazepine intoxication, which can be treated with flumazenil.

Bradypne is a symptom, not a disease

It is important to re-emphasize that this disorder is a reduction in respiratory rate. Doctors usually consider it when a person breathes less than 12 times per minute for more than two minutes.

The point is that this symptom may appear for several reasons, such as alcohol or other intoxication, or as a result of certain underlying pathologies. Not all cases suggest a life-threatening condition. Thus, a doctor must discover the cause before deciding on a treatment method.